Little festive spirit as derby gets heated

Sidley manager John Lambert had to be held back by assistant Wayne Farrier as he headed towards Rye player-coach Marc Gall early in the second half of the Boxing Day derby.

The spat followed a sliding challenge by Rye wide player Liam Upton on Sidley captain Chris Rea. The referee called both men onto the pitch for a talking to before returning them to their respective dugouts.

Lambert said: “We just disagreed on the tackle. He (Gall) said he’s (Upton) not like that and I said ‘well he got sent-off against Three Bridges (in an FA Vase tie on November 19)’.”

Rye manager Scott Price was standing in the technical area, but didn’t get involved in the exchange. He said: “I think it was just frustration on John’s behalf and Marc reacted because he knows he’s (Lambert) trying to get Liam sent-off.”

The Sussex County Football League Division One game ended 2-0 to Rye thanks to goals in either half from Phil Rhodes and Duncan McArthur (penalty).

See Friday’s Bexhill and Rye Observers for the full article.